Visible index cabinet



Dec. 20, 1932. R. A. FURLONG VISIBLE INDEX CABINET Filed Dec.

IN VENT OR M101: 6 M 1 4- W Iii/5' A TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES NEW YORK PATENT OFFICE ROLAND A. FURLONG, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE YAWMAN & 'ERBE C MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF VISIBLE INDEX CABINET Application filed December 23, 1930. Serial No. 504,241.

The present invention relates to filing cabinets and embodies, more specifically, an improved door construction therefor. More specifically, the invention embodies an 1mproved form of combination door and reference shelf for filing cabinets, the door being folded back to serve as a supporting surface when the reference shelf is extended, thus affording a convenient shelf upon which filing trays or other devices may be convenlently rested.

Filing cabinets have heretofore been provided in which doors are mounted for closing the cabinets and enabling the same to be locked if desired. It is now proposed to provide, in combination with a cabinet and door, a reference shelf which conveniently telescopes into the cabinet and occupies a negligible space therein. The structure so provided thus forms a reference shelf which is mounted with the cabinet door in such fashion as to enable the door to be folded back into an open position upon the shelf as the latter is extended. In like manner, such connection permits the door to be closed and the shelf simultaneously housed within the cabinet. In this position the door and shelf may be locked to prevent examination of the contents of the cabinet by unauthorized persons. An object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide a cabinet door and reference shelf construction wherein the door may be utilized as a supporting surface upon the shelf.-

A further object of the invention is to provide a door and shelf construction of the above character wherein the door and shelf are simultaneously moved to and from an open position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction of the above character wherein the door and shelf may be conven-- back to an open position and serve as a closure for the tray, in addition to serving as a supporting surface for the shelf.

Further objects, not specifically enumerated above, will be apparent as the invention is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing the door and cabinet construction of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in section, taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows. I 1

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing the shelf partially extendedand the door turned back as the shelf anddoor are moved into the open position thereof.

Figure 4 is a detail view similar to Figures 2 and 3 showing the shelf and door after having assumed an open position.

Figure 5 is a view in section, taken on line 55 of Figure 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows. v

Figure 6 is a view in isometric projection, showing a cabinet door constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 is a view in isometric-projection, showing a shelf constructed in accordance with the present invention. 4

Referring to the above drawing, a cabinet is shown at 10 having a door frame 11 formed with a horizontal downwardly extending groove 12 across the top thereof. This groove is adapted to receive the top of a door 13 which is of sufficient width to close the space between the side members of the door frame. The bottom of the cabinet is formed with a horizontal partition or bottom plate 14: to

bers, the trays 17 being slidable outwardly 1 when the door 13 is opened. Under portions 18 may be provided on the trays to facilitate movement thereof in an obvious fashion.

As clearly seen in Figures 3 andfl, sufficient space 1s preserved between the lowest horizontal partition 16 and the bottom plate 14 to receive the shelf 15, this shelf being formed with vertical side members 19 and a transverse reinforcing and division member 20. Forw'ardly of the shelf and extending across the front thereof is a vertical wall 21 which completes the sides: of a tray, indicated at 22. This tray may be used to receive cards, pencils, etc., and is thus an integral portion of the shelf 15.

Forwardly extending arms 23 are formed on the side members 19 of the shelf, the arms preferably being offset inwardly at 24 to be received within the space between parallel ears 25 which are formed or secured to the door 13. These ears preferably receive hinge pins 26 which are journaled in the arms 23 and thus hingedly connect the door 13 to the shelf. Y

The bottom of the door 13 is preferably turned inwardly at 27 and formed with an aperture 28 which isad'apted to receive a bolt 29 of a suitable lock mechanism 30. To facilitate the turning of the door into the position shown in Figure 4, the upper corners of the arms 23 are rounded at 31, the radius thereof being about the axis of the hinge pins 26. The lower corners 32 of the arms 23 are squared and thus serve as bottoms against which the door engages when moved in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 2, 3, and 4f. Recesses 33 are formed in the door to enable the door and shel to be moved by the fingers, the door being swung rearwardly into the position shown in Figure 4 after the shelf has been extended to a sufficient extent.

The vertical sides of the door frame are formed with parallel offset portions 11' against which the sides of the door 13 engages when in closed position as clearly shown in Figure 5. It will thus be seen that the door and shelf are moved as a unit to and from the open and closed positions thereof by a simple manipulation. The door cannot swing outwardly and thus confuse the operation of the device but must necessarily fall inwardly into the position shown in Figure l to constitute a solid supporting surface for the upper portion of the shelf. The resulting structure is simple in construction and readily manufactured, at the same time affording a convenient closure and supporting shelf for filing cards.

While the invention has been described with specific reference: to the accompanying drawing, it is not to be limited, save as defined in the appended claims.

'I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a cabinet having a door opening, an upwardly extending groove in the frame at the top thereof, a door,

cabinet to advance the top of the door Within the groove.

2. In combination with a cabinet having a door frame, a compartment formed in the bottom of the cabinet, a shelf slidably mounted in the compartment and formed of bottom and side members, forwardly extending arms on the side members, transverse members on the shelf cooperating with the bottom and side members to form a .tray, a door, and means whereby the door is pivoted on the arms.

3. In combination with a cabinet having a door opening, a door, a horizontally disposed extensible shelf slidable in the cabinet, means adjacent the lower edge of the door to support the door pivotally on the shelf ad jacent its outer edge, means to prevent movement of the door outwardly and downwardly with respect to the shelf while permitting the door upon extension of the shelf to be moved inwardly and downwardly to rest fiatwise on the shelf and means whereby movement of the shelf into the cabinet causes movement of the door to closed position in the door opening.

4. In combination with a cabinet having a door opening, a door, a horizontally disposed extensible shelf formed with an open tray slidable in the cabinet, means adjacent the lower edge of the door to support the door pivotally on the shelf adjacent its outer edge, and means to prevent movement of the door outwardly and downwardly with respect to the shelf while permitting the door upon extension of the shelf to be moved inwardly and downwardly to rest flatwise on the shelf and overlie the tray.

5. In combination with a cabinet having a door opening, a door, a horizontally disposed extensible shelf slidable in the cabinet and formed of bottom and side members, forwardly extending arms on the side members, means adjacent the lower edge of the door to support the door pivotally on the said arms, said pivotal connection permitting movement of the door inwardly and downwardly upon extension of the shelf to rest fiatwise on the shelf.

This specification signed this 20th day of December A. D. 1930. 7

ROLAND A. FUR-LONG.

a shelf slidably mounted in the cabinet, and

means whereby the door is mounted on the shelf to cause movement of the shelf into the 

